Oignon Catawissa cultivé au Québec par Anokian Nature

Catawissa Onion | Perennial onion for self-sufficiency

25 bullbile
$17.75 CAD
$17.75 CAD
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Oignon Catawissa cultivé au Québec par Anokian Nature
  • Oignon Catawissa cultivé au Québec par Anokian Nature
Catawissa Onion | Perennial onion for self-sufficiency

Catawissa Onion | Perennial onion for self-sufficiency

$17.75 CAD
$17.75 CAD
Format25 bullbile

Quantity

Delivery expected between July 15 and early August 2026, until September 2026 depending on availability.

⚠️ Cannot be shipped outside Canada.

The Catawissa Onion (Allium × proliferum) is a hardy perennial onion known for its ability to produce year after year. Ideal for food gardens, permaculture, and self-sufficiency projects.

Easy to grow and appreciated for its great hardiness.

Carefully grown in Quebec by Anokian Nature.

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A LITTLE HISTORY

Catawissa, Rocambole or Egyptian Onion

In Egypt, the origin of onions dates back to 3500 BC. There is evidence that the Sumerians were cultivating onions as early as 2500 BC. A Sumerian text dated around 2500 BC tells the story of someone plowing the onion field of the city governor.

The rocambole onion comes from Asia where wild bulbs were harvested.
It later arrived in the Mediterranean around 4000 years ago.

Is there really such a thing as a perennial onion plant? The honest answer is YES! Absolutely! Well, how can an onion plant walk? Here's the story in a nutshell:

The Egyptian onion plant begins growing like any other onion plant in early spring.

While all the other onion plants are busy growing a pretty, round, puffy ball of flowers, the Egyptian walking onion is growing miniature versions of itself! That's right! It's growing a ball of cute little onions on top of its stem!

As the summer months progress, these topstem balls continue to grow until they reach their maximum size and can become quite heavy for a large onion stalk. Eventually, the stalk is pulled down by the weight of the heads and they touch the ground, which can be up to 3 feet from the mother plant.

If left to their own devices, the tops will take root and sprout new Egyptian onion plants wherever they land. The new plants will, in turn, develop their own heads, which will eventually stop, touch the ground, and take root. This way, the Egyptian walking onion wanders around the garden! No one can guess where they're going.

As their scientific name "Allium proliferum" suggests, these small, hardy onions are very "prolific." Once you plant them in your garden, you'll have onions every year for the rest of your life!

Egyptian onions are also called Catawissa onions, Egyptian onions, Rocamboles onions, perennial onions.

This stunning plant will bring a touch of novelty to your vegetable garden. This onion (Allium cepa var. proliferum) is a perennial vegetable plant from the Alliaceae family. Its evergreen, bluish-green stems, 50 to 80 cm tall, are somewhat reminiscent of chives.

At the end of spring, pink inflorescences appear at their tips, which then produce 2 or 3 tiers of small bulbs grouped by 4 or 6 which are red when ripe.
PROPERTIES

The Catawissa onion, like other onion varieties, has several medicinal properties:

Medicinal Properties
Antioxidants:

  • Rich in flavonoids and sulfur compounds, it helps combat oxidative stress.
  • Anti-inflammatory properties:

May help reduce inflammation in the body, thus helping prevent certain diseases.
Heart health:

  • Onion consumption is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease due to their ability to lower cholesterol and improve blood circulation.
  • Strengthening the immune system:
  • Rich in vitamin C, it helps strengthen the immune system.
    Digestive health:
  • The fiber in onions promotes good digestion and intestinal health.
    Antimicrobial:
  • Has antimicrobial properties that may help fight certain infections.
    These properties make the Catawissa onion an excellent choice for a healthy and beneficial diet.
  • Rocambole onion has digestive and antiseptic properties. It is a plant rich in vitamins and minerals. Rocambole onion has expectorant properties. It can be used to relieve headaches, coughs, and nasal congestion.

Rocambole onion can also be used as an infusion to relieve digestive problems and sore throats.
HOW TO COOK?

The underground part is very fleshy. It has a beautiful pink color and a powerful onion flavor. It can be used in cooking as a garlic or onion substitute, or like a French shallot.

Here are some ideas for cooking rocambole onions:

  • 1. Sauté
    Ingredients: Rocambole onions, vegetables (peppers, zucchini), olive oil.
    Preparation: Heat the oil in a pan, add the sliced onions and vegetables. Sauté until everything is tender.
  • 2. Fresh salad
    Ingredients: Rocambole onions, tomatoes, cucumber, vinaigrette.
    Preparation: Slice the onions and mix them with diced tomatoes and cucumber. Add a vinaigrette made with olive oil and vinegar.
  • 3. Pies or quiches
    Ingredients: Rocambole onions, eggs, cream, cheese.
    Preparation: Sauté the onions, then mix them with beaten eggs and cream. Pour into a pastry case and bake until golden brown.
  • 4. Onion soup
    Ingredients: Rocambole onions, vegetable broth, bread, cheese.
    Preparation: Caramelize the onions in a saucepan, add the stock, and let simmer. Serve with toast and melted cheese.
  • 5. Onion Pickles
    Ingredients: Rocambole onions, vinegar, water, sugar, spices.
    Preparation: Heat the vinegar with the water and sugar, then add the sliced onions. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for a few hours.
    These recipes highlight the mild, sweet flavor of rocambole onions.

You can use it to flavor sauces, marinades, soups and meat dishes.

The leaves are used in the same way as chives, fresh or dried.

The mature bulbils are eaten like shallots, which have a delicate flavor; they are delicious pickled in vinegar. As for the bulbs, which ensure the plant's longevity, their flavor is strong and they should be eaten fresh; they do not keep for long.

Enjoy your food !
HOW TO GROW?

Small bulbils appear at the ends of the stems after flowering. These are the bulbils that are replanted in the ground in the fall.

Planting bulbils can be done in fall or spring. If you planted your bulbils the previous fall: In spring, the bulbils will produce small plants with 3 or 4 leaves.

You weed them and let them grow. They will form bulbils during the summer.

Personally, I plant twice a year. One in spring and one in fall.

We transplant bulbils between April and early May, when your soil is thawed.

I replant bulbils in the fall. You can do either; both methods work very well.

From mid-April to early May, or in September-October, plant the bulbils (or bulbs if you have divided the clumps) in rows 40 cm apart, spacing them 25 cm apart.

Cover with 3 cm of fine soil. In heavy soil, plant on a mound to wick away moisture. Hoe regularly. Any bulbs that are not harvested will fall to the ground on their own when the stems are dry and then root quickly.

The first harvests take place during the following summer, from July to September, and then for several years.
Underground bulbs and young shoots are harvested for use
almost immediately.

Aerial bulbils can be stored in a dry, cool place during the winter.

Our seeds are vigorous, open-pollinated and adapted to the Quebec climate.

About our bulbils

  • Species: Allium cepa var. proliferum
  • Bulbils: Mid-April or early May on the surface to be grown outdoors, either in spring before the last frosts on the ground in your area or towards the end of September to early fall
  • Bulb depth: 3 cm
  • Soil: Poor, humus-rich, loose and drained
  • Location: Sun and tolerates shade and cold very well
  • Spacing between plants: 25 – 35 cm
  • Height at maturity: 50 – 80 cm
  • Maturity: 12 months | Perennial
  • Bulbils per envelope: 25
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